Effect of Alkaline Salts on Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement Hydration

This work analyzes the effect of the presence of 5 wt.% of solid sodium salts (Na₂SO₄, Na₂CO₃, and Na₂SiO₃) on calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA) hydration, addresses hydration kinetics; 2-, 28-, and 90-d mechanical strength, and reaction product microstructure (with X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (FTIR). The findings show that the anions affect primarily the reactions involved. Ettringite and AH₃, are the majority hydration products, while monosulfates are absent in all of the samples. All three salts hasten CSA hydration and raise the amount of ettringite formed. Na₂SO₄ induces cracking in the ≥28-d pastes due to post-hardening gypsum and ettringite formation from the excess SO₄^2– present. Anhydrite dissolves more rapidly in the presence of Na₂CO₃, prompting carbonation. Na₂SiO₃ raises compressive strength and exhibits strätlingite as one of its reaction products.